What Is Intermittent Fasting?

If you want to know what intermittent fasting is, this is the right page to be on. I have a lot of experience with intermittent fasting and I'd love to tell you all about it.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is time-restricted eating. What this means is you have only certain times that you are allowed to eat. You cannot eat outside of those times. You choose the eating schedule that you want to be on and then follow it. It's that simple.

An example would be only eating between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. That would be considered 18/6 intermittent fasting, because you are fasting for 18 hours and only eating during a 6 hour window. You don't eat constantly for 6 hours straight. You just eat as you feel hungry, like you would normally do.

Practicing intermittent fasting results in weight loss. It's actually a very effective and sustainable way to lose weight according to studies. People find it much easier to follow intermittent fasting than they do caloric restriction.

Why Do People Do Intermittent Fasting?

People practice intermittent fasting for weight loss, but there are also some other health benefits to intermittent fasting. You will experience anti-aging, insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Many people will inflammatory conditions notice reduced symptoms while following an intermittent fasting regimen. At first glance, intermittent fasting may sound unhealthy, but it's been proven in studies to be very good for your health and body.

Intermittent Fasting Results

So what results should you expect from intermittent fasting?

People who intermittent fasting tend to lose weight at an average of 2-3 lbs per week. That would be 8-12 lbs per month. This will vary from person to person. Some people may lose weight slower and some people may lose weight more quickly. This is just an average of all people who intermittent fast.

It will also vary according to which intermittent fasting schedule you choose. You may need to tweak or change your schedule if you are not getting the desired results from the one you choose to follow.

How To Start Intermittent Fasting?

You can start today by beginning a fast after your last bite of food. Use an intermittent fasting app on your phone and start tracking your fast. End the fast tomorrow when you have reached 16 hours. That is a pretty decent first fast, just to give you an idea of what intermittent fasting is like.

One of the most popular intermittent fasting schedules is 16/8 intermittent fasting, which means you would fast for 16 hours followed by an eating window of 8 hours long. Some people choose to do more rigorous schedules. Listen to your body and go from there. The idea is to get lots of benefits from intermittent fasting, while minimizing discomforts and side effects.

If you have a condition, speak with your doctor before beginning an intermittent fasting lifestyle.

Is Intermittent Fasting Hard?

It can be, depending on which schedule you choose. The 16/8 schedule is pretty easy, but can be difficult for the first few days while you are adjusting to it. Most people will find it feels pretty natural to skip breakfast. It just feels right, like how our bodies wanted it to be.

Some of the harder intermittent fasting schedules include long periods without food, up to 24 hours. That can be a challenge, so it's best to work up to that if you are new to the lifestyle. No matter which schedule you choose, it does get easier over time. You will get used to feeling hunger, and you will actually enjoy the taste of food so much more. Even bland foods start to taste really flavorful after practicing intermittent fasting.

The good news is studies actually show that people tend to feel more hungry on calorie restriction than they do on intermittent fasting. That is because you are constantly spiking your blood sugar all day long leading to sugar crashes.

I hope this article helps explain what intermittent fasting is for you.